Title: You're My Bertie Botts
Summary: It's the fifth summer holiday for the trio and spending it with a troubled Ginny at The Burrow leaves Harry wondering about the littlest Red Head and Hermione about the next oldest. A light fluffy HG RH
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or any of the characters, otherwise I would be married with children, have blonde hair, and be pretty darn rich!
Chapter Five: Say Sorry With Ice Cream
Author Notes: Your second chapter for the price of one! Once again so sorry for lack of updates! Hope this makes it up slightly!
Keep rring I love you guys dolls!
...Her nervous grip on his wrist relaxed, she moved her hand down Harry's palm and quickly laced her fingers between his. Smiling to himself Harry knew that it wasn't the rushing through the chimney that was giving him butterflies in his stomach...
Harry and Ginny landed in Diagon Alley perfectly, all four feet stayed firmly on the ground and they both were stood upright. Hermione ran forwards and eyed their embrace suspiciously, tugging them out of the way just as Ron appeared in the green fire. Though Ginny was no longer buried in Harry's chest, their hands were still entwined. Harry bowed his head as he felt his cheeks begin to glow, Ginny was already as red as her hair – the Weasley embarrassment curse (!) and they quickly separated the bond. Stumbling out of the grate Ron tripped over a wonky slab of concrete and fell into Hermione, sending them both crashing to the floor. Ginny stuffed a hand in her mouth to hold back the giggles and Harry hit her playfully.
"Sorry," murmured Ron, his face inches from Hermione's, then very quickly jumped to his feet. Harry was sure he saw Hermione roll her eyes as Ron brushed the dirt from his jumper before holding out a hand. She took it and he pulled her gracefully to her feet, she smiled a thanks and Ron blushed, again! The awkward silence emerged once more and Harry tried to break it by suggesting ice cream.
Sitting down at a small table Hermione cursed as she realised she'd forgotten her purse. Harry opened his mouth to offer to lend her the money but was cut off by Ron.
"It's okay, I'll get it." He said, avoiding eye contact.
"Its fine Ron, I'll just nick some of Ginny's ice cream, she can never manage it all!" Hermione said, slightly taken aback. Ginny gave her a sarcastic frown and they both laughed.
"No seriously, I owe you a lot of apologies, this can be a start!" He tried to smile, but he said it so nervously he ended up looking like he was in pain.
"Are you sure?" Hermione asked, a small smile tugging at her lips, "I can pay you back as soon as we get back."
"No," Ron said a bit too sternly, "I mean... no forget about it!" Ron took Hermione's order and wondered over the counter. Hermione didn't speak she just sat, pretending to read the menu, trying very hard to hold back a grin.
"So, you paying for mine?" Ginny asked with a mock serious expression. Harry cocked an eyebrow at her and she laughed.
"Fine what do you want?" he sighed.
"Nah I'm kidding!" she smiled.
"I'm not! C'mon, take your pick!" Harry demanded, shoving a menu in her face. She stuck her tongue out at him and pointed out her choice from the list. Harry jogged to join Ron at the counter.
"Hey!" the red head grinned.
"Hi, that was a really nice thing to do Ron." Harry said, clapping him on the back.
"After what I said yesterday I should be buying her the whole parlour!" Ron scolded himself.
"True, but she really appreciates it!" Harry told him.
"You sure?" Ron asked, a hint of worry in his voice.
"Course, you should've seen her, she was trying so hard not to grin. Obviously doesn't want to own up to the fact you can do something right!" Harry winked.
"Mmm." Ron sighed. He caught the barmaid's attention and the two of them made their orders. "Why are you paying for Ginny's?" Ron asked as Harry handed over the money.
"Oh, well with her being upset and everything yesterday, I just thought she needed it." Harry looked down at the counter, the last person he wanted to know about his feelings was Ron.
"You don't like her do you?" Ron asked fiercely.
"No course not!" Harry lied very quickly.
"Ah good!" Ron nodded, glancing across at Hermione and Ginny at the table he turned back to Harry, who's eyes were flickering across the room nervously. Ignoring it he spoke up again, "D'you think she'll forgive me?"
"Who? Hermione?"
"Yeah. I mean, I wouldn't if I were her. It's just I really want her to know that I didn't mean it. I honestly don't know why I said it, it just kinda slipped out."
"Are you trying to hide something?" Harry asked slyly.
"Huh?" Ron frowned.
"Well I know when I argue with people, it's usually cuz I don't want them to know what I really think of them."
"What do you mean?"
It was Harry's turn to roll his eyes. "Hermione's right, you really aren't in tune with your feelings."
"Hey!" Ron looked ready to snap at Harry but was stopped by the arrival of their desserts. Their hands full they walked back to the table, just before reaching earshot of the girls, Harry turned to Ron.
"Just own up to it and tell her." He whispered. "It'll take some guts, but will be worth it in the end. Trust me."
Ron put on a face of bewilderment, but Harry knew that he understood. As Ron sat down next to Hermione, she blushed violently as he passed her the ice cream, Ginny must have said exactly the same thing to her.
As they finished their ice creams they moved off the table and into the small garden at the back of the parlour. The four of them sat on the bench swing, which lay adjacent to a pond, home to a mixture of magically bred fish, with tails and a number of eyes. They all joked and chatted, feeding the fish until Ginny stood up and brushed fish flakes off her skirt.
"I better go, I need to pick up some new quills. I broke mine throwing it at a photo of Michael!" she laughed, "He's not so attractive now! I'll meet you guys back here, yeah?"
Ron and Hermione nodded but Harry stood up too, "Actually I need some new erm...broom polish, I'll come with you."
"Well if you're going, we might as well come to!" Ron said, a slight plead in his tone.
"No it's fine!" Ginny smiled walking off.
"I'm sure you two will have plenty to talk about." Harry winked at Ron and Ginny span round to give Hermione a grin.
"C'mon then Haz!" Ginny called.
"Haz? Are you kidding me?" he laughed, following her.
"Sorry!" she blushed, tugging him along before Ron and Hermione could stop them. "Maybe now they've got it fixed in their heads that they like each other, they might actually tell one another."
"Hmmm, maybe!" Harry smiled, "But knowing Ron, probably not!"